episode_0035
by fnovelpiaChloe glanced at the platform in front of the chapel. Elin, sitting next to her, did the same.
Chloe and Elin. Where the two girls’ eyes met, there was a man who always had a silent and gloomy atmosphere standing there.
No, it might not have that gloomy vibe anymore.
Her hair, neatly slicked back, looks stylish. Her well-groomed hair is not as tangled as usual, and her usually gloomy expression seems to have regained some of its vitality.
Professor Lucio Antonelli’s change came as quite a shock to them.
“Ellen. Professor Antonelli, I guess something really happened.”
“They say if a person suddenly changes, they die… .”
“Oh my gosh…! Is that really true…?!”
“I don’t know if he’ll die or not, but he must be very sick.”
Meanwhile, Laura, who was not far away, was also confused.
‘I came here because I was curious since you suddenly cancelled classes…’
What the hell is that? Laura’s face changed strangely. Professor Antonelli’s unusual appearance brought about a considerable sense of dissonance.
“Explanations on the Bible are here.”
Professor Antonelli’s voice, standing on the podium, echoed throughout the chapel. Those who had been taking his sermon to heart in their own ways slowly joined hands.
“Then, let us conclude the service with a blessing.”
Professor Antonelli clasped his hands and closed his eyes. The students and theology professors in the chapel also closed their eyes.
“May the grace and love of the Lord be here. May the Lord bless us, keep us, and grant peace to all who reside here.”
“Come, Lord!”
In a quiet atmosphere, the last Sunday evening service ended like that.
It was a service that was held in a slightly different atmosphere than usual.
* * * * *
After the last Sunday service in the early evening, I hurried out of the church. My steps toward the faculty dormitory gradually quickened.
There wasn’t really anything to prepare, but I still wanted to attend the veterans’ reunion looking as neat as possible.
Deacon Sophia followed closely behind me.
“When is your appointment time?”
“The letter said 7pm. It looks like you don’t plan on staying up that late.”
As I said that, I glanced at my wristwatch.
The current time is 5:30 PM. There is still an hour and a half left until the appointment time, but the restaurant is still quite far away. I need to prepare in advance.
“Well, it’s a very famous restaurant. It would be difficult to rent it for a long time.”
As we chatted about this and that with Deacon Sophia, we arrived in front of the dormitory before we knew it. Deacon Sophia smiled at me.
“Chief Priest. Are you nervous?”
“No, that’s not true.”
I’m nervous. Really nervous.
Except for Lieutenant Colonel Mayhem, these are people whose memories are so hazy that I can’t even recall the faces of my old comrades. And the same goes for the other person. Maybe they won’t recognize me.
How would I look? Would I be able to fit in with them? Would they look down on me?
It felt like I was a transfer student to another school. I kept fiddling with my neat hair as I entered the dormitory.
As I opened the front door and went in, Deacon Sophia naturally followed me in. It seemed as if she was trying to tidy up my appearance one last time.
Deacon Sophia’s appearance was awkward. Seeing Deacon Sophia, who is usually lively but eccentric, taking care of me in such a kind and meticulous way, made me look at her in a new way.
“Is this okay?”
“Um… . Here, head a little more this way… .”
“Is this what you mean?”
“Yes, much better!”
The smile of Deacon Sophia is bright. Feeling awkward, I avoided meeting her eyes.
After all the preparations were done, there was only an hour left until the appointment time. I hurried to leave the dormitory.
“Chief Priest.”
When I heard Deacon Sophia calling me, I turned around.
“Don’t give too much meaning to things that have passed, okay?”
“… … .”
I swallowed my dry saliva. I took a deep breath to collect my thoughts so that my words wouldn’t get tangled.
I looked at her standing blankly toward me. This time, I met her emerald eyes without avoiding them, which I always avoided.
Beautiful green eyes. That gentle green that seems to contain all the freshness of the world… .
… really, they were so similar. They were eyes that looked just like Helena. Every time I looked at those eyes, I thought of Helena.
And, Deacon Sophia, who resembles Helena, is smiling brightly at me with her eyes. When I look into those eyes, I feel like the weight of my guilt is getting lighter. Maybe that’s why.
“Okay, have a nice day. I’ll see you tomorrow at the professor’s office.”
“… Substitute Sophia.”
“Yes?”
Deacon Sophia tilted her head. Even her flowing blond hair resembled Helena’s.
So, I said it absentmindedly, as if I was possessed.
“If it’s okay with you, Deacon Sophia, wouldn’t you like to go with me?”
I want to meet them with you.
* * * * *
When we hurriedly arrived at the pub where we were meeting, there were about five minutes left until the appointed time.
“Whew… Fortunately, it’s not too late.”
Deacon Sophia muttered, wiping the sweat from the nape of her neck. I nodded slowly.
A bustling, warm spring day at sunset.
I looked at the warm light coming from the tavern. That light touched my heartstrings.
The inside of the tavern already seemed bustling. Through the opaque glass windows, several people could be seen greeting each other and raising their glasses.
At the same time, I could faintly hear the people inside the tavern chattering away. I couldn’t help but chuckle as I imagined Colonel Mayhem shouting something in a gruff voice.
I grabbed the doorknob and just stood there.
“… … .”
To be honest, I haven’t had the courage yet. To be exact, I haven’t had the courage to confidently enter such a noisy place.
I was afraid that the lively atmosphere would cool down because of me. I let go of the doorknob for a moment and took a deep breath.
“Hoo… .”
Suddenly, a warm feeling spread through my arm. I opened my eyes slowly.
“Chief Priest, don’t worry.”
Deacon Sophia gently grabbed my arm and encouraged me. I nodded coolly and opened my mouth.
“Thank you for listening to my stubbornness. Deacon Sophia.”
Deacon Sophia looked at me. Without avoiding her eyes, I spoke again.
“Thank you. I really mean it.”
“, if you suddenly say that… .”
“Thank you so much for asking me to attend the reunion with you. It is thanks to Deacon Sophia that I am here today.”
“… … .”
Deacon Sophia, who had been catching her breath and facing me, slowly shook her head.
“No, my lord. It wasn’t because of me that we were able to come here, but because you, my lord, decided to take a step forward.”
“… Substitute Sophia.”
“I just gave you a little push.”
Deacon Sophia smiled brightly. I stood blankly in front of the tavern, staring at her smile for a long time.
– Father Lucio, what are you doing?
I think of Helena, who used to smile brightly and play pranks on me. It might be very rude of me to project Helena onto Deaconess Sophia.
But what can we do?
Even when I see the yellow sunlight at dawn, I think of your brilliant blond hair.
Even when I see the leaves of the trees bursting with life on a hot summer day, I am reminded of your transparent eyes.
When I see Deacon Sophia’s bright smile, I think of you.
What can I do?
Helena. Forgetting you seems like an impossible task.
“Chief Priest?”
I was awakened from my deep thoughts by the sound of Deacon Sophia calling me. Deacon Sophia’s questioning eyes were turned towards me. There was a faint worry in them.
I wonder if he thought I had a bad thought again. I felt a little sorry for making him worry for nothing.
“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you answering all of a sudden… .”
“… No. Let’s go in now.”
“Yes!”
I held onto the door of the tavern. My hands were shaking slightly, soaked with sweat from the tension. It was then that I reached for the doorknob again.
“Excuse me, aren’t you going in? I have to go in now… .”
A slightly hoarse voice came from behind me. I turned my head.
He was a man with a small scar on his face. He looked like he had just come from hard work, and his clothes were slightly dusty.
“Oh, sorry. Would you like to go in first?”
“Yes. Thank you… . Huh?”
The man who was about to enter the tavern, nodding his head, froze. His eyes looking at me slowly began to tremble.
“Excuse me… .”
“Yes?”
“Ah, aren’t you Father Antonelli?”
My heart was pounding. I thought no one would recognize me, but no. I nodded slowly toward the man.
“Yes, that’s Father Antonelli.”
“Ha…! As expected…! I thought it looked familiar!”
Contrary to my worries, he approached me with a bright smile. I stood there blankly, staring at him.
“Don’t you remember me? Here I am! Private Dennis!”
“… Ah.”
I thought I had seen his face somewhere, but then I realized his face looked familiar.
“The priest healed my arm! At that time, that… . When was it… ?”
“… Are you talking about rescuing the 3rd Platoon?”
“Ahh! That’s right! That time! Man… ! Seriously, how long has it been?!”
Dennis smiled brightly and tried to hug me, but then hesitated and stood back a little.
“Oh, right… . I just came back from working at a construction site… . Sorry. My clothes are a little dirty. ”
His timid expression made my heart ache for no reason. I hugged him tightly and coolly.
Even though I’m wearing my neatly-dressed priest’s robe, there will be a little bit of dirt on it. But what do you think?
“Your Majesty.”
“Does it matter if my clothes get dirty? The fact that we met is more important.”
He hesitated for a moment, then quickly responded to my hug. I bit my trembling lips.
Corporal Dennis, who had been a timid young man, had now grown into a man with a hunched body and a bushy beard.
My heart was pounding. The camaraderie that had long since died was boiling again. When I met one of those who had been with me through life and death, an indescribable emotion welled up in me.
We hugged for a while, then we both broke away and laughed. It was a very short moment, but thanks to Dennis, I was able to briefly recall the good memories I had on the battlefield.
“Anyway, it’s really nice to meet you.”
“Me too, really… . It’s really nice to meet you, Dennis.”
“You came to attend the veterans’ meeting? You’re really glad you came. There are a lot of guys who have been waiting for you, priest.”
“… Is that really true?”
“Yes. But, over there…?”
Dennis pointed to Deacon Sophia. I looked back at her and opened my mouth.
“Ah, this is my subtitle… .”
“Hello! I am Deacon Sophia, who serves as Deacon under Father Antonelli!”
Deacon Sophia greeted us cheerfully. Dennis looked at us both with surprised eyes for a moment, then smiled warmly and nodded.
“Oh my… . Your highness, you’ve become incredibly successful. Are you now a deacon?”
“That’s right. More importantly, can Deacon Sophia come in too?’
“Oh, of course! Instead of doing this outside, let’s go in quickly!
Dennis opened the door to the tavern with a hearty laugh. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. Deacon Sophia smiled and sat down next to me.
“I guess the thing the head priest was worried about won’t happen, right?”
“… I wish that were the case.”
“Hehehe… . Then, shall we go in? Chief Priest.”
I closed my eyes tightly and followed Sophia’s footsteps, stepping forward one step at a time. The feeling of stepping on the ground was awkward. At first, my feet were stuck to the ground and wouldn’t leave, but after taking the first step, it started to get easier and easier to walk.
One step, two steps. And then, finally, the third step.
“Attention everyone! Father Antonelli has finally arrived at this comrades’ meeting!!”
When Dennis, who entered first, shouted in a loud voice, everyone sitting in the tavern looked in his direction.
“What, what!”
“Where are you! Where!”
I opened my trembling eyes. I saw familiar faces rushing towards me, accompanied by a loud, clattering sound.
“Father Antonelli! It’s true!”
“Long time no see! Hahaha!”
“How long has it been? How have you been?!”
“Wow, you really haven’t changed at all!”
“I told you I was coming! Hahahaha!”
The image of Colonel Mayhem smiling brightly and with a wrinkled smile.
The sight of everyone welcoming me… This situation was the complete opposite of the unfortunate future I had expected.
“Ha, haha… .”
For me, it brought such a sense of relief.
“Everyone, it’s been a while… .”
I couldn’t help but share a warm hug with them.
As I looked at her, I saw Deacon Sophia shedding a tear. As I looked at her, I found myself muttering involuntarily.
“… Helena.”
I decided to take one step forward.
In this narrow and stifling world, I took a step to break out of the mold.
It is probably no coincidence that a passage from a book I read on Earth before I was possessed suddenly comes to mind.
– The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity.
A word from the ancient apologist, Tertullian.
Yes. I have always believed in your existence and the footsteps you left behind in the past.
Now, I have met again the relationships that sprouted from memories with you.
So, this is definitely… .
The seed called you has finally sprouted into the world.
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